A.C. Gilbert, Co. Erector Sets (1913-1967)

Erector Sets History

The Erector set, or just ERECTOR, was a line of metal construction toys made by the A.C. Gilbert Company. It was originally patented by Alfred Carlton Gilbert in 1913 and sold through his original company, Mysto Manufacturing Company of New Haven, Connecticut. Unlike wooden construction toys before it, the Erector set could also be used with an electric motor to make things move. In 1924, the Erector set was completely changed to include over 70 different parts, and was called, “The New Erector, The World’s Greatest Toy”. Until 1932, the toy was sold in wooden boxes. Then from 1932 until 1962, they were sold in steel boxes painted red, green, and blue. In 1961, A.C. Gilbert died, and the company went downhill. In 1967, they filed for bankruptcy. The company then sold the rights to the toy to the Gabriel Company, and the parts were changed to plastic, but they failed to compete with other plastic toys. The rights were sold to three different companies after that, and the Erector brand is now pretty much gone. The Erector lives on to be one of the most iconic toys of all time.

Erector Set 7.5

The Erector Set No. 7 1/2, famously known as the "Engineer’s Set," was a legendary building kit during the mid-20th century that set the gold standard for American childhood toys. Sold in a heavy, signature red steel toolbox, this premium set was famous for including a powerful, real-deal electric motor that allowed young builders to bring their massive toy cranes, bridges, and engines to life with actual mechanical power. Unlike smaller kits, the 7 1/2 pack was loaded with specialized curved metal girders, brass gears, and perforated steel plates. It gave kids everything they needed to build complex, working models like a giant steam shovel or a spinning Ferris wheel. Marketed under the slogan "The Toy That Built America," it became a rite of passage for an entire generation of aspiring engineers who learned to build with real metal nuts, bolts, and screwdrivers.

 Source:  Elephant's Trunk Flea Market